There's an old saying, "When the only tool you have is a hammer, all the problems look like nails." My version - "When you have a welder, ..." So I built what I call a "hinge bar" that bolts on the bottom of the front subframe, and provides a pivot point for the brackets with U-shaped hooks to rest. Standing in front of the car, one can pick up the hood and easily maneuver it onto the bar and swing it up into position.
Viewed from the inside of the clip, here is one of the hooks.